Sam pushed his way back from the bar with two Dos Equis. Claim Jumpers wasn’t packed, but there were plenty of people there for a night made for lovers. Coach Fortner was there too, playing darts at the far end of the bar. Sam skipped that hello. They’d said what’s up to Evie and Zach and he’d introduced Amanda to Britany and Delfi, the ranch’s executive chef, general manager, and Evie’s childhood best friends. They’d offered to pull another table over to turn their double date into a party of six, but he’d shared Amanda with his family all day. He wanted some time alone before she had to go back to Los Angeles and the stress of her job.

They found a two-top opposite the dance floor. Amanda held the table while Sam waited at the bar, accepting a few congratulations on his Oscar win from Brett the bartender and two older white women at the bar he’d never seen before. When he came back Amanda was shimmying her shoulders to the Carrie Underwood blasting through the speakers.

“Ah, thank you,” she said, taking the ice-cold beer from his hand.

“You’re welcome.”

“Let me get a little loose and then I’ll put it on you on the dance floor.” Sam watched as she took a deep swig of her beer.

“Is that right, Cha-Cha?” Sam asked before he took a sip of his own. He was stopping after one beer so he could drive them home.

“Oh, yes it is. I know what you like. I know you want this bawdy,” she said, rolling her shoulders. He tried not to notice the way her tits jiggled, and failed. Now that things were back on and they were moving in the right direction, he was looking forward to picking up where they left off in the bedroom.

“You’re right. I’m all about that bawdy, but—”

“Oh, is this our first one-on-one?”

“And then right on to fantasy suites. You’ve already got a hometown.”

Amanda gasped, leaning forward. “You’re telling me you watch The Bachelor? Please tell me you watch The Bachelor.”

“Lilah watches The Bachelor.”

“Are her parents local?” Amanda asked, her brows scrunching together. She was probably wondering why she lived with Miss Leona instead of with her own parents or in her own place.

“Nah. They are up in wine country. My aunt and uncle have a winery up there.”

“Oh cool. I like her. She’s sweet.”